Anchor Size & Type

[Dino]

Hi,
Can anyone advise what size anchor should I use on a Broom 37 Continental? Mainly inland use but I plan to do a bit of coastal cruising next year.
Also, current anchor is a badly bent Danforth type anchor. Is this the best type of anchor to use on a boat with a thru-hull tube for the anchor? Basically, the chain goes through a tube and the anchor is stored under the bow, half way up the hull.

 

[Cheery]

 

[ctva]

Ignoring Cheery above, the best thing to do is look at other setups on boats with your bow configuration. That will determine which anchors you can chose from, and then where you are based as some anchors are better in mud, others in sand / shingle. Also remember that the anchor is only one element of the set up that will determine how well it works and you confidence in being able to sleep at night which is the ultimate test.

Anchor choice on here is a bit like religion, everyone's own one is best and all others are useless and the devils spawn! Once you sift out the zealot comments there will be a lot of good reply's. Vyv Cox's site is good with info on anchor types.

As for me, I swear by the Kobra 2.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Does your anchor set up look something like this?

The problem with an anchor that is stored at the end of a hawse pipe like this is that many anchors with pointy ends like the Delta, CQR, Rocna etc arent going to sit very well in that position. You might get a Bruce anchor to sit in this position but I think your best bet is simply to replace the Danforth youve got . The Danforth is not a bad anchor and will probably do you just fine for a spot of occasional lunchtime anchoring or overnighting in calm conditions. I would have thought that a 25lb Danforth would be adequate

How much chain do you have and do you have an electric windlass?

 

[Dino]

Thanks folks,
I've been looking at some similar boats online and they seem to use Danforths. I saw one Continental locally that has a different type of anchor but it looks tiny. I haven't measured the chain yet and I have a big lump of an ancient electric winch but I'm not sure if it's working.

 

[RupertW]

Admittedly not on a motor boat but I have spent many nights anchored to a Danforth and found they stuck in very solidly and reliably, in calm conditions and foul. That's the trouble with anchors, they mostly work. People only swear by newer generation anchors if the old ones have let them down due to weather conditions, or bottom consistency or whatever.

I do believe the evidence that Rocnas etc. set more quickly in less distance than older anchors, and that in truly extreme conditions they hold longer. But if an older type holds your boat in 60 knot winds and nasty chop then swapping is a lot of money for potentially a very occasional gain. If it fails in 30 knots for whatever reason then you'll be changing it soon no matter what the cost or whether the problem was anchor, substrate, or user.

 

[BruceK]

I can go with that. I have a Bruce / claw which in tests has the worst holding but it has held me firm in F8's and F9's on a number of occasions while anchored off a leeward shore in all the substrates we have here except stony / pebble ground. This is while some new age Delta's dragged in loose mud or struggled to set in the first instance. However since reading about the poor characteristics of the claw I've got the wind up me and will probably change it. It's a sleep better at night thing.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I can go with that. I have a Bruce / claw which in tests has the worst holding but it has held me firm in F8's and F9's on a number of occasions while anchored off a leeward shore in all the substrates we have here except stony / pebble ground. This is while some new age Delta's dragged in loose mud or struggled to set in the first instance. However since reading about the poor characteristics of the claw I've got the wind up me and will probably change it. It's a sleep better at night thing.

I have had bad experiences with a Bruce on weedy bottoms and with a Delta in fine sand and have recently changed to a Rocna. So far I can't praise it highly enough. It just sticks and doesnt move until you unstick it

 

[BruceK]

Unfortunately I can't take a Rocna. In a similar vein to the OP I have a silly bow projection that does nothing but excite the marina's when they get the tape measure out.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Unfortunately I can't take a Rocna. In a similar vein to the OP I have a silly bow projection that does nothing but excite the marina's when they get the tape measure out.

I had a similar problem with the 'beak' on a Sealine I once owned. It was designed around a 10kg Delta and nothing else would fit

Nice boat btw

 

[BruceK]

Thank you.